Angelo Mangiarotti was born in Milan in 1921 and became an influential architect, industrial designer, and educator. The Italian designer graduated in Architecture from Milan Polytechnic in 1948 before traveling to the United States, where he engaged with architectural legends like Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe. Angelo Mangiarotti returned to Italy in 1955 and partnered with Bruno Morassuti to open a design studio in Milan that operated until 1960. Throughout his career, the architect based his design philosophy on the intrinsic characteristics of materials, shaping forms that respected each material's natural properties. Many iconic Italian designers featured on our site have shaped brands such as B&B Italia furniture.
Mangiarotti’s work extended across architecture, product design, and furniture, including his role as art director for Colle Cristalleria from 1986 to 1992. He also made significant contributions to academic circles, teaching at universities around the world, including the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, the University of Hawaii, and the Politecnico di Milano. His design approach emphasized functionalism and objectivity, with a focus on the relationship between the user and the environment.
Angelo Mangiarotti earned numerous accolades for a dedication to both form and function, including the ADI Compasso d’Oro career award in 1994. The designer collaborated with Poltrona Frau, bringing a distinct material-driven philosophy to the luxury furniture brand. Angelo Mangiarotti passed away in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of thoughtful design that continues to influence contemporary architecture and furniture. Another designer whose work shaped modern Italian furniture is Emmanuel Gallina.